Acura TL 2009

Comments

You make it sound as if Acura is targeting cars like the Maxima with its TL. Maxima is more of a competitor of the Accord, and not a very good one at that. The TL is predominately targeted at the Lexus ES350, Infiniti G35, Mercedes C class, BMW 3 series and to an extent the 5 series.

I do not think so. Your comparison of a Maxima to an Accord is bizarre as they are not even in the same class (have you ever priced a fully equipped Maxima vs a fully equipped Accord?). The Altima competes with the Accord toe to toe and many comparision tests will point this out. The Maxima is an entry-level luxury sedan and for the most part has always been (no matter what your opinion may be). Edmunds will clarify this with any review on this site that you can find and in fact the Maxima is probably the TL's chief competitor. You are comparing rear wheel drive cars (5 series, 3 series and the g-35) to the front wheel drive TL (we're not talking about the SHAWD model) and while I like the TL and think its a fine car its not up to the snuff of the germans nor infiniti.

I agree that the Maxima's target market is not the Accord. The first Maxima (circa 1980?), along with the Toyota Cressida, were the first Japanese entry luxury sedans. The Max has always aimed for Acura, although I think it's slipped a notch in recent years. It's still more upscale than the Accord/Camry, but I'm not sure it's hitting the Acuras. However, I'm not a big fan of Infiniti, so I wouldn't lump them in with the Germans.

I think you'd find a sizable segment who would cross-shop the TL and the Max, just as you would with the Max and the Accord. Truth be told, so many of these cars have some overlap. You can also throw the IS series and the TSX into (probably) both groups.

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I totally disagree. If Nissan's intention was to target the TL with the Maxima than they have failed. Even Consumer reports has not rated Maxima well over the last decade, placing it well below the Accord. Heck, even the Altima has been rated above the Maxima. Regardless what the Maxima costs, it is somewhat misplaced (like a lost child). Its price tag may suggest upscale, but its styling and interior feel suggests middle of the road mainstream. Infiniti, on the other hand, is much more stylish, which is Nissan's luxury division that competes with luxury brands such as Honda's Acura division and others. Reliability records show, however, that Honda/Acura builds considerable better quality automobiles than Infiniti.

According to the review of the new maxima, they suggested people go for the Altima, rather than spend the extra money on the new model. It is a middle of the road looking car, it does not scream anything special, and this is being said also by a few reviews. Now, I don't even feel the Altima is anything special either, I feel its a cheaper looking family sedan, that has blown up like a blimp. It looks like a slug. I think Nissan and Honda are on two different pages, Nissan is slowly finding that page closer to success, but not close enough.

If Nissan's goal was to target Honda/Acura, then yes they failed. This sounds harsh, but reviews are also reflecting a similar opinion.

For instance the new TL looks very unique and questionable to some, but it certainly looks more upscale than most cars. It looks classy. The interior looks like the put a lot of thought into it, upscale fit/finish. I applaud them for step outside the box to create a design that looks very futuristic, rather than sticking with an old "normal" looking design. It will be hard though to beat the nice design of the previous TL though.

Definitely not to buy TL due to the low/very poor assembly quaility. I have Lexus and know its quality is much better than acura. I test drive the infiniti G35, its handling and feeling as well as interior qaulity are much better than TL, although I do not know if G35 has rattle problem or not.

to start a pissing match with anyone over the TL when in fact I am currently a proud Maxima driver. With that being said I totally understand one's pride of the vehicle they own; however, at one point you've got to call an ace an ace and a spade a spade, and both vehicle are entry level luxury sedans (last time I checked Acura is not a luxury brand but rather a premium/entry level luxury brand - say all you want but even Acura executives have said they are not Tier 1 -- to take this argument even further Infiniti and Lexus even have more luxurious lineups so if anyone has lost its way its Honda/Acura). Questionably, there are some reviews out there that hint that the Maxima has lost its way and that the Altima is a better buy; however, at the same time there are reviews out there that have rated the 2007-2008 Maxima (more on the 2009 later) as excellent and reliable (is any car really unreliable these days). For the person who said the current TL looks like an Accord I agree 110% percent as they primarly the same vehicle. Another scenario I shall point out is that badge is not everything as Toyota's own Avalon is more Lexus than Lexus's ES350. Stop being a badge whore and call an ace an ace and a spade a spade.

Your opinion is no less correct than mine. I find the '04+ TL to be (still) one of the best looking sedans on the road. To me, no Accord has ever has as much style. GM must like the TL style too as the new, handsome Malibu does seem, to me, to be a nice copy...!

As a benchmark, what cars do strike your fancy, stylewise? I lust after the Maserati GranTurismo, Quattroporte and Jag XK, for example. The new TL? I hope it looks A LOT better in the flesh. But I can't imagine the can opener/shield/beak of Acura looking much better in real life...

LD wrote: But I can't imagine the can opener/shield/beak of Acura looking much better in real life...

You know people said the same thing about the 2nd generation MDX but I'll tell ya it's grown on me. No doubt what it is as it's coming towards you. That being said, initially I'm thinking the new mug on the TL is a face only a mother could love. :P

Well then, put your money where your mouth is. You said you skipped the current TL but really likes the new one. You've got 3 to choose from ... TL, TSX, RL ...all with the same grill. Buy one of them!

Based on your post the only thing that is obvious, is that you were trying to start a pissing match. Keep on talking, maybe you will finally convince yourself that the Maxima is in the same league as the TL.